Chapter 67 Showtime
“Reiya!” Ruby called out as she walked around the corner and into the garden with Mason. “You look incredible.”
Reiya smiled. “So do you.” Ruby walked up and pulled Reiya into her embrace.
“I’m so happy we ran into you here. Xander’s been hogging you all to himself.” Ruby pouted while Mason chuckled beside her. He looked up and noticed Reese standing in the distance.
“I see you’re well-guarded today.” Mason smiled as he saw the immediate annoyance in Reiya’s eyes.
“Xander thinks I’m going to be sniped by an assassin or something.” Reiya let out a huff of air.
“No, he’s doing his job keeping you safe.
You’re special and in an important position.
Extra precautions are necessary when it comes to you.
Better safe than sorry.” Ruby understood what it was like to feel smothered by guards, but it was also necessary, especially in Reiya’s case.
She wasn’t just the future Queen of the West. She was also the fairy princess.
In her opinion, she wasn’t being protected well enough.
“So, is this like the official pre-party hang-out?” Reiya figured she would switch topics. The truth was she never felt like she needed to be guarded. What these people didn’t know is she could call for Lee if she ever needed help. He was her summon, so she was never really alone.
Ruby walked away from Mason and locked arms with Reiya. “I guess we were just drawn to you. Come on, I want to show you my favorite spot here.”
The three men watched the two girls walking away together. Well, four men, if you counted Reese in the distance.
“You and Ruby ready for showtime?” Weston elbowed Mason playfully with a wry smile.
Mason chuckled. “I’ve been ready for showtime for years. I’m sure you know Ruby is ready, too. We’ve spent too much time apart. This is the final declaration before I crown her as my queen back home.” He turned and looked at Weston. “You know I’ll take good care of her.”
Weston looked out toward his sister and nodded, a gentle smile on his face. “I know you will. Because it’s you, I’m able to part with her.”
“She’d be touched to hear you say that.” Mason smiled at him, knowing he didn’t express his real feelings often.
“She would, but she won’t. It’s easier on her this way. If she doesn’t realize how important she is to me, then it won’t hurt her to leave.”
Dex glanced at him. “Wow, Weston. You always like to play the clown, the jokester, but how you really feel about things has always been the biggest mystery.” For as long as he had known Weston, he’d always hidden behind being the prankster. The player.
Weston chuckled. “Now don’t go analyzing me, Dex. There’s already too much seriousness in life. I want to have fun and enjoy it. I like watching everyone’s reactions. They tell me a lot.”
“So, what are your real thoughts about getting involved in the upcoming war?” Dex asked quietly.
Weston’s gaze shifted to the two smiling girls. “It’s our war, too. Do you really think that, after conquering the fairies, they’ll stop there? Besides, I don’t think I want to exist in a world where the fairy princess doesn’t exist.”
“Hmm? That sounds like a declaration of love,” Dex teased with a small laugh.
“You trying to get me killed by Xander?” Weston chuckled and shook his head.
“I know what you mean, Wes. I feel the same way. She’s important. Already, she’s important to me as well, in a sister way.” Dex made sure to add at the end.
“Good. It better be a sister way,” Mason growled lightly.
“Poor Reiya …” Weston said with a sigh, and the other two looked at him. “She grew up with three overprotective brothers, and she just got a few more.” The three men nodded their heads, laughing.
“Don’t be nervous about later, Reiya,” Ruby said quietly as she leaned down, studying the flowers. “Just forget about the crowd.”
Reiya smiled and nodded. “The crowd is the only part I’m nervous about, honestly.” Reiya closed her eyes and breathed in. There was a strange, sweet scent in the air. She didn’t think more about it because the next thing Ruby said shocked her.
“You love Xander, don’t you?” Ruby asked, and Reiya’s chest tightened a bit. She didn’t want to lie. But she didn’t have to. She did love Xander, but she wasn’t in love with him. There was a difference.
“Mm-hmm. I trust him completely.”
“He’s a good guy. Despite his early life, he grew up well,” Ruby added with a slight frown.
“He’s happy now. He isn’t lonely. And I promised him I would always be there for him. He’ll never be left alone again.” Reiya watched as Ruby straightened up and turned to look at her. She held out her hands and grasped both of Reiya’s.
“You’ve touched all of our lives in such a positive way. Are you sure you’re not a fairy godmother or something?” Ruby smiled and Reiya giggled at her.
“Have you been watching Cinderella lately?” Reiya shook her head with a smile on her face.
Ruby sighed. “It’s about that time. Let’s escort each other. It will be the last time we’ll be able to do so.” Ruby wrapped her arm around Reiya’s, and the two walked back up the path.
The group made their way to the party. Reiya could see Brody and Chelsie seated in the very back in a secluded spot. Most of the seats had already been taken, and dragons were happily chatting amongst each other.
“My sister Lila is here.” Dex pointed out in the distance at a very pale girl. She had both ivory skin and light blonde hair.
“Maybe I should go spend some time with her?” Weston teased and Dex snarled at him lowly. “Easy there. It was obviously a joke. This is her first mating party, isn’t it? You nervous about maybe losing your baby sister?”
“I don’t really want to talk about it,” Dex said in a gruff, annoyed voice.
Mason walked up behind Reiya and Ruby. He wrapped both his arms around the two girls and led them toward the head table.
“Hey. That’s not fair, Mase!” Wes snorted. “You can’t hog Reiya when you have Ruby.”
“Can’t I? Come and take her then, little whelp.” Mason grinned and watched Weston frown.
“You’re such a bully.” Weston walked to the table and plopped into a seat.
Dex walked over and winked at Mason. “This one is mine until Xander comes and claims her.”
Mason nodded and relinquished Reiya to him.
“HEY! You let Dex take her and not me?!” Weston’s eyes were raised as he asked in exasperation.
“Yeah, I trust Dex with her more. I don’t want you spoiling the goods,” Mason snorted and helped Ruby into her seat.
“I wouldn’t spoil the goods.” Weston folded his arms and pouted playfully.
“Aww, Weston, maybe if you’re good, I’ll save a dance for you.” Reiya giggled, and Dex tugged her toward him.
“Now you’ve done it. You can’t promise to dance with the likes of him. You have a reputation to protect,” Dex teased, and Weston’s mouth went agape.
“You’re all picking on me now. Yep, let’s just pick on the baby of the group because he isn’t a king yet.”
“Hate to break it to you, Wes, but we’ll pick on you then, too,” Mason said as the rest of the table snickered.
Reiya sat down at the circular table, an empty seat to her right and Dex on her left.
Beside Dex was Weston, then Mason, and across from the empty spot was Ruby.
The table was set similarly to when she was at the party before.
The tablecloth was silver this time, and there were floating silver heart candles as the centerpiece.
The group sat around the table, having a good time.
Reiya felt a slight tap on her shoulder, and she turned around to see Reese standing there, looking a bit awkward.
“Reese? What’s wrong?” Reiya asked and stood up, sensing there was a problem.
He leaned his head forward and whispered quietly. “Come with me, Reiya.”
She looked at him for a moment, studying his face. What did he want with her? His eyes looked urgent, though. She turned to look at Dex. “I guess I’ll be back.”
Dex stood up and grabbed onto her elbow, looking at Reese. “Where are you taking her?” His tone was low, and he all but glared at the nervous man in front of him.
Reese’s eyes shifted around nervously. “I just need her for a moment.”
“Then I’m coming, too,” Dex said adamantly. He wasn’t about to let Reiya out of his sight.
Reese ran his hand through his hair, and he shifted to the side nervously. “I, umm … the thing is … Xander just needs to see her for a moment,” he finally blurted out.
Dex nodded but kept a suspicious eye on Reese. “Well, then, take us to Xander.”
Reese paled slightly and looked back at Reiya. He looked down at the ground and sighed. “Okay then, follow me.”
They followed Reese away from the party tents.
He took them around to the back of the castle, which was completely deserted, the gentle chirping of crickets being the only sound.
At the lower end there was a hidden door that was covered in overgrown bushes.
He pushed the bushes aside and looked back at Dex and Reiya. “Through here.”
Reiya glanced up at Dex, who tightened his grip on her. Something felt off about all of it. Dex eyed Reese once again before slowly proceeding through the door. Inside, it was dank and poorly lit.
It really did look like a dungeon. Reiya looked at the small candles that were lit along the walls.
It seemed very old-fashioned. There was no electricity in this area, or at least it didn’t seem to be hooked up here.
The small drip of water hitting a puddle echoed off the walls, and each step filled the air with a hollow thud.
“Up ahead here,” Reese said in an agitated voice. He squeezed his hands together and moved his thumb over his fingers. He glanced back at them nervously before returning his full attention forward.
Reiya watched as Reese walked down a dark hallway, and she and Dex followed quietly. Why did Xander need to talk to her down here?
The stone was cold and emitted a frigid chill into the air. Reiya shivered in her dress, and Dex wrapped his arm around her chilled shoulders, pulling her closer into his protective embrace.
Reese stopped when they reached a small, circular room. “He will be with you in a moment,” he said hurriedly before scurrying out. Reiya looked up at Dex with confusion and glanced around the room.
“What is this place?” she asked quietly.
“It’s the abandoned part of the castle. We used to play here as kids.” Dex looked around the room. They heard a door creak, and they both turned toward it.
Dex’s eyes met with the person entering the room, and he tightened his grip on Reiya, pulling her into his side. “What the hell is going on?” his voice reverberated in a low growl.